Some Working Class Marin Neighborhoods Decimated By Unemployment

San Rafael’s mostly-Latino Canal neighborhood has a population estimated at 13,000. Community leaders believe that 90% of that population are now unemployed.

Organizations from across Marin County are struggling to provide help. The streets of the Canal neighborhood are mostly empty, but row upon row of apartment houses are packed with families. Kids are home from school and both mothers and fathers are out of work.

Mundo said a community survey found that 9 out of 10 workers are unemployed and many live paycheck to paycheck.

“We have communicated among the different nonprofits in the community,” said Mundo, “those offering financial assistance are overwhelmed right now with too many requests, but we are also working with the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.”

The need for food supplies has more than doubled in two weeks time. Mundo said the Canal is a proud and hard-working community, but right now they just need to work again.